Logie winner Tony Armstrong is quitting the ABC’s flagship breakfast TV show.

Armstrong revealed his departure from News Breakfast live on air on Tuesday morning.

“I’ve been pretty nervous about doing this,” he said.

“You can see my body language already. Um, I’ve retired from News Brekkie and my last day will be the 4th of October. So, that’s not this Friday [but] the coming Friday.”

A former AFL player, Armstrong began on News Breakfast as a fill-in sports presenter in 2020. The role became full time the following year.

He is a popular host who won the Graham Kennedy Award for most popular new talent at the 2022 Logie Awards. In 2023, he won the Bert Newton Award for most popular presenter and he was shortlisted for the Gold Logie this year.

A proud Gamilaroi man, Armstrong has expanded his TV career to host other ABC series in recent years, including A Dog’s World and Tony Armstrong’s Extraordinary Things.

On Tuesday, he thanked his News Breakfast colleagues, along with viewers.

“I’m not very good at doing this stuff. But I just want to thank absolutely everyone – all of you guys, my colleagues, everyone behind the camera, all the producers, all the people who watch as well and come up in the street and say g’day and all that kind of stuff,” he said.

“It’s been a whirlwind sort of three-and-a-touch years. A lot has happened. Feels like I’ve been on a bit of a rocket ship.

“But the support that I’ve got from News Brekkie and news in general has been, yeah – it’s been amazing.

“Everyone that has helped me along the way – and I’ve needed a lot of help – I’m not very good at the tools. This stuff’s all right (being on air), but the computers and stuff, not so great.

“Haven’t logged into an email for a while. If there’s one in there, I’m sorry … But, yeah. Huge thank you.”

Armstrong said he would miss the role – but not all of it.

“I’m going to miss the couch — not the alarm, but I’ll miss the couch,” he said.

“I’ve had such a ball. So, thank you to everyone who’s played a role in me being here. And, I’m going to miss everyone but, um, yeah. You’ll still see me around.”

Armstrong’s colleagues paid tribute to the departing star. Host Michael Rowland said he was an engaging talent and a good friend.

“In fact, there’s no one I would rather sit through an earthquake with. We did – Google it,” he said, in reference to the earthquake that hit Melbourne in September 2021 while the pair were live on air together.

Co-host Bridget Brennan said the morning TV team would missing Armstrong’s “infectious and caring nature”.

“I know it’s meant so much to me and to thousands upon thousands of First Nations viewers waking up to see Tony representing us on the daily,” Brennan said.

ABC director of news Justin Stevens said Armstrong was a ‘‘once-in-a-generation talent and it has been fantastic watching him soar in his role at News Breakfast’’.

“I can’t wait to see what he does into the future and see his career continue to go from strength to strength,” he said.

Armstrong will remain with the ABC.

He will host a yet-to-be-announced show that will screen in 2025.